About us.

Central Plains Water Limited (CPWL) is an irrigation infrastructure company with a bold vision to deliver enduring value for our shareholders and our region. Our reliable supply of sustainable water drives economic contribution, and supports the long-term environmental resilience of the Canterbury Plains, and contributes to global food security.

Operating under a co-operative model, CPWL is not required to produce detailed annual stakeholder reporting. We choose to – because transparency strengthens trust, supports good governance, and provides a clear picture of our environmental and regional impact. Our shareholders make this impact possible – and we reflect their progress openly and transparently.

Sourcing water from the Waimakariri and Rakaia rivers, CPWL supplies irrigation to 45,000 hectares of farmland, supporting a diverse range of land uses including dairy, arable, and cropping.

Our approach to environmental stewardship extends beyond water delivery. Through Farm Environment Plans (FEPs) across 71,000 hectares of farmland we help support improvements in soil health, water efficiency, biodiversity outcomes, and nutrient management across the catchment.
This catchment-wide approach ensures environmental gains at scale while strengthening the long-term productivity and resilience of our shareholders’ farms.